Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu delivers condolences to the American people. Photo: Screenshot.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, lecturing to Israeli ambassadors about regional concerns at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, said Palestinian claims of a “right of return” spell the end of Israel and prevent a peace agreement from being reached.

“Hamas could take over the Palestinian Authority any day, which is why we need solidified defense agreements and a diplomatic accord that ensures the recognition of Israel as the state of the Jewish people, and a [Palestinian] declaration of the end of the conflict,” Netanyahu said Jan. 3.

Meanwhile, a New Wave Research poll conducted for Israel Hayom said the majority of the Israeli public supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with 53.5 percent in favor of the idea and 38 percent against it. However, when asked what the chances are that such a solution will, in actuality, come to pass, the results flipped: 40.6 percent think that a two-state solution is feasible, while 54.3 percent feel it is not possible.

Netanyahu also stated that Iran remains Israel’s “number one threat.”

“I drew a red line, and Iran has yet to cross it,” he said. “It is our ongoing duty to prevent Iran from attaining nuclear weapons.” The prime minister believes that in the short term, the Middle East “will continue to be shaken up, though in the long run I believe there is a chance for change if Iran is prevented from having military nuclear capability.”